Xerographic reproducing apparatus



Feb. 26, 1963 R. A. HUNT ETAL 3,078,770

XEROGRAPHIC REPRODUCING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 1, 1960 18 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. F/G. .1 ROBERT A. HUNT GORDON P. TAlLLl-E A TTORNE) Feb. 26, 1963 R. A. HUNT ETAL 3, 3,

XEROGRAPHIC REPRODUCING' APPARATUS Filed Aug.. 1, 1960 18 Sheets-Sheet 2 F7 e I T 27 5a 22 l 1 LMP-3 I I 58 LL A a 2/} 4/ I I] [I INVENTOR. ROBERT A. HUNT 2 BY GORDON P. TAILLIE A TTORNE Y Feb. 26, 1963 R. A. HUNT ETAL XEROGRAPHIC REPRODUCING APPARATUS 18 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 1, 1960 7 m 2 4M 4 U 3 w w a m m m n LP I INVENTOR. ROBERT. HUNT GORDON P: \TAILLIE Feb. 26, 1963 R. A. HUNT ETAL XEROGRAPHIC REPRODUCING APPARATUS l8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 1, 1960 INVENTOR.

ROBERT A. HUNT y GORDON P. TAILLIE Feb. 26, 1963 R. A. HUNT ETAL 3,073,

XEROGRAPI-IIC REPRODUCING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 1, 1960 lasneets-sneet 5 29/- M if a/ 7 7? 6 as 7a 62 INVENTOR. I RDBERT A. HUNT I? 7 BY GORDON P. TAILLIE A T TORNEV e 1963 R. A. HUNT ETAL $078,770

XEROGRAPHIC REPRODUCING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 1. 1960 18 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEN TOR.

ROBERT A. HUNT BY GORDON P. TAILLIE A TTORNEY Feb. 26, 1963 Filed Aug. 1, 1960 R. A. HUNT ETAL XEROGRAPHIC REPRODUCING APPARATUS 18 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. ROBERT A. HUNT GORDON P. TAILLIE Feb. 26, 1963 R. A. HUNT ETAL XEROGRAPHIC REPRODUCING APPARATUS 18 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Aug. 1, 1960 INVENTOR. ROBERT A. HUNT GORDON P. TAILLIE Feb. 26, 1963 R. A. HUNT ETAL XEROGRAPHIC REPRODUCING APPARATUS l8 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Aug. 1, 1960 INVENTOR. ROBERT A. HUNT BY GORDON P. TAILLIE A 7' TOR/V5 Y 1963 R. A HUNT ETAL 3,078,770

XEROGRAPHIC REPRODUCING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 1, 1960 18 Sheets-Sheet 10 F/G l2 INVENTOR.

ROBERT A. HUNT BY GORDON P. TAILLIE A TTO/PNEV Feb. 26, 1963 R. A. HUNT ETAL 3,07

XEROGRAPHIC REPRODUCING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 1, 1960 18 Sheets-Sheet 11 LMP-3 K775 Ill /4/ I65 *2? l i r I] 23 2(3 F G. 20 F G. 23 7 "L274 275 INVENTOR.

ROBERT A. HUNT 269 BY GORDON PY.,TAILLIE 6 A T TORNEY Feb. 26, 1963 R. A. HUNT ETAL XEROGRAPHIC REPRODUCING APPARATUS 18 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed Aug. 1, 1960 INVENTOR. ROBERT A. HUNT BY GORDON P. TAILLIE Feb. 26, 1963 R. A. HUNT ETAL 3,078,770

XEROGRAPHIC REPRODUCING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 1, 1960 18 Sheets-Sheet 13 226 l I 229 may INVENTOR.

ROBERT A. HUNT BY GORDON P. TAILLIE ATTORNEY Feb. 26, 1963 R. A. HUNT ETAL XEROGRAPHIC REPRODUCING APPARATUS 18 Sheets-Sheet 14 Filed Aug. 1, 1960 E L UA WHT m "MN 2% BR 00 RC Feb. 26, 1963 R. A. HUNT ETAL XEROGRAPHIC REPRODUCING APPARATUS 18 Sheets-Sheet 15 Filed Aug. 1, 1960 Feb. 26, 1963 R. A. HUNT ETAL 3,073,770

XEROGRAPHIC REPRODUCINGAPPARATUS Filed Aug. 1, 1960 18 Sheets-Sheet 16 A TTORNEV Feb. 26, 1963 R. A. HUNT ETAL 3,078,770

XEROGRAPHIC REPRODUCING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 1, 1960 18 Sheets-Sheet 17 I III N IIIXIIIIII) I Q 50R swaA Hus scR-IA WW2 A TTORNE Y 3,078,770 XERQGRAPHKC REPRUDUCING APPARATUS Robert A. Hunt, Wilhraham, Mass, and Gordon P. Taiiiie, Rochester, N.Y.; said Hunt assignor to Xerox Corporation, a corporation of New Yorlr Filed Aug. I, 196%, Ser. No. 46,463 Claims. (Cl. 95-137) This invention relates in general to Xcrography and, in particular, to an improved Xerographic reproducing apparatus.

More specifically, the invention relates to an improved automatic Xcrographic apparatus for use in producing xerographic reproductions from microfilm, whether in the form of a single frame of microfilm mounted in a data processing card or in the form of roll film.

in the process of xerography, for example, as disclosed in either Carlson Patent 2,297,691, issued October 6, 1942, or in Carlson Patent 2,357,809, issued September 12, 1944, a Xerographic plate, comprising a layer of photoconductive insulating material on a conductive backing, is given a uniform electric charge over its surface and is then exposed to the subject matter to be reproduced, usually by conventional projection techniques. This exposure discharges the plate areas in accordance with the radiation intensity which reaches them and thereby creates an electrostatic latent image on or in the plate coating.

Development of the image is effected with developer material or developers which comprise, in general, a mixture of a suitable pigmented or dyed electroscopic powder, tereinafter referred to as toner, and a granular carrier material, which latter functions to carry and to generate triboelectric charges on the toner. More exactly, the function of the granular material is to provide the mechanical control to the powder, or to carry the powder to an image surface and, simultaneously, to provide almost complete homogeneity of charge polarity. in the development of the image, the toner powder is brought into surface contact with the photoconductive coating of the Xerographic plate and is held thereon electrostatically in a pattern corresponding to the electrostatic latent image. Thereafter, the developed xer-ographic image is usually transferred to a support or transfer material to which it may be fixed by any suitable means.

Since disclosure of the basic concept of xerography by Carlson, a variety of machines and devices have been proposed to incorporate such teachings in a manner to form copy Xerographically on a commercial basis. For the most part, each of such devices has been specifically designed to the solution of a particular reproduction problem, and, for the most part, has been limited to the particular use intended. Thus, for example, machines are resently in wide commercial use for the continuous high-speed enlargement of microfilm in roll form, and for enlarging and reducing from opaque originals.

Although as useful as these machines may be, as evidenced by their commercial acceptance, none can be considered to be of general application of the type required in the microfilm art. For example, prior art machines whether based on the xerographic reproduction techniques or other reproduction techniques, are usually limited as to the type of original that may be used therewith, or as to the type and size of transfer material that can be employed therein, or as to the flexibility of operation of the machine itself.

it is, therefore, the principal object of this invention to improve Xerographic reproducing apparatus for microfilm enlarging, the xerographic apparatus being capable Patented eh. 2&5, 3%63 of making copies xero graphically, automatically, economically and accurately.

Another object of this invention is to improve upon xerogr-aphic apparatus for the production of hard copy prints in selected size from unitized microfilm mounted in aperture data processing cards, or from microfilm in roll form.

Another object of this invention is to improve xerographic apparatus of the rotary type whereby the operations of the device are effected independently of the rotary position of a xerographic plate to permit more efricient use of the plate surface.

Another object of this invention is to improve Xerographic apparatus in a manner such that the various operating cycles are effected in timed relation to the insertion of a sheet of transfer material, on which the reproduction is to be made, into the machine.

A further object of this invention is to improve xerorphic apparatus for making single enlargements from microfiim onto cut sheets of transfer material.

These and other objects of the invention are attained by means of a charging device, a projection device for scanning copy to be reproduced, a developer mechanism, a sheet conveyor mechanism, a transfer charging device,

fuser mechanism, and a plate cleaner, all operatively positioned around a rotatably journaled Xerographic drum, each of the above elements being suitably driven and controlled to permit coordinated operation of the apparatus to reproduce a copy from microfilm automatically.

For a better understanding of the invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is had to the following detailed description of the invention to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, where-in:

PEG. 1 is a right-hand perspective view of the Xerographic apparatus of the invention enclosed within a cabinet, vith parts of the cabinet covering broken away to show the arrangement of the Xerographic machine elements schematically;

EKG. 2 illustrates schematically a preferred embodiment of the xerographic apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a right-hand View of the xerographic apparatus of the invention with the right-hand frame plate remove-d;

PEG. 4 is a top view of the Xerographic apparatus with parts removed to clearly show the drive and paper conveyor components of the apparatus;

PEG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of PS. 3;

F8. 6 is an enlarged view of the Xerographic drum drive coupling;

HG. 7 is an enlarged side view of a frame extension plate and the elements attached thereon;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the xerographic drive elements taren along the line 83 of FIG. 4;

Fit 9 is a top view of the copy projector;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the projector taken along line itt-lttl of PEG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the projector taken along line l1l1 of HS. 9;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the projector taken along line 12-42 of HS. 10;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line l3l3 of FIG. 9;

MG. 14 is a rear view of the projection lens assembly shown in its normal operating position;

FIG. 15 is a side View of the projection lens assembly in its normal operating position;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are rear and side views, respectively,

3 of the projection lens assembly with the carrier lever positioned to bring a viewing lens and viewing object mirror into alignment with the axis of the projection lens assembly;

- FIG. 18 is a top view, in part, of the projector assembly illustrating the position of the various elements thereon when the carrier lever is actuated to the position in FIG. 16;.

. FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the projection lens assembly taken along the line l9-l9 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 2t) is a front view of the card copy carrier;

FIG. 21 is a rear View of the card copy holder;

FIG. 22 isa top view of the card copy holder;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of the card copy holder taken along line 2323 of FIG.

FIG. 24 is a front view of the roll film copy holder; FIG. 25 is a rear view of the roll film copy holder; FIG. 26 is a top view, partly in section, of the roll film copy holder; 7 I 7 FIG. 27 is a view taken along line 2727 of FIG. 26; FIG. 28'is a sectional view taken along line 23-28 of FIG, 29 is a right-hand perspective view of the paper conveyor mechanism ofthe apparatus with parts broken away to show the arrangement ofthe various elements; FIG. 30 is a sectional view of the paperguide roll and delivery idler roller taken along line 39-45% of FIG. 3;

I 31 is a sectional view of the paper guide roll taken along line 3131 of FIG. 30;

FIGS. 32 and 33 illustrate schematically the operation of the paper g'uide roll; FIG. 34 is a sectional view of the conveyor drive assembly taken along line 3 4-34 of FIG. 3;

FIG; 35 is a top view of a paper gripper; I PEG. 36 is an enlarged top view of a portion of the paper gripper of FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is an enlarged rear view of the paper gripper of FIG. 36; 51G. 38 is an enlarged sectional view of the paper gripper taken along line 3338 of FIG. 36;, FIG. 39 is an enlarged sectional view of the paper gripper taken along line 39-69 of FIG. 36;

FIG. 40 is an enlarged sectional view of the paper gripper taken along line 4tl4ti of FIG. 36;

FIG. 41 is an enlarged sectional view of the paper gripper taken along line 4141 of FIG. 36;

FIG. 42 is an enlarged end view of the paper gripper;

FIG. 43 is a view similar to FIG. 35 showing the gripper bars of the paper gripper in an open position;

FIG. 44 is a schematicelectrical wiring diagram of the xerographic apparatus; and I p FIG. 45 is a timing chart of the operation of the elements of the xerographic apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a xerographic reproducing machine used for producing xerographic reproductions from microfilm, whether in the form of a continuous Weber in the form of an individual frame mounted on a suitableapertured card, To conform to modern office decor the xerographic apparatus is adapted for installation in a suitable console or cabinet.

The cabinet, generally designated 1, constructed in a conventional manner, has mounted on the left-hand side thereof a main control panel 2 for initiating operation of the machine. Positioned directly above the control'panel, is a viewing platen or screen 3 described in detail hereinafter. In the embodiment disclosed, the cabinet of conyentional construction, serves as a light-tight housing for the xcrographic apparatus. As shown, the xerographic apparatus is positioned in the upper portion of the cabinet, the lower portion of the cabinet having a recessed inclined collecting tray 4- for finished reproductions.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the xerographic apparatus comprises a xerographic plate including 'a photoc'onductive layer or light-receiving surface on a conductive backmg and formed in the shape of a drum, generally desigit nated by numeral 2%, which is journaled in the frame to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow to cause the drum surface sequentially to pass a plurality of xerographic processing stations.

For the purpose of the present disclosure, the several xerographic processing stations in the path of movement of the drum surface may be described functionally, as follows:

A charging station, at which a uniform electrostatic charge is deposited on the photoconductive layer of the" xerographic drum; an exposure station, at which a light or radiation pattern of copy to be reproduced is projected onto the drum surface to dissipate the drum charge in the exposed areas thereof and thereby form a latent electro static image of the copy to be reproduced;

A developing station, at which a xerographic developing material including toner particles having an electrostatic chargeopposite to that of the electrostatic latent image are cascaded over the drum surface, whereby the toner particles adhere to the electrostatic latent image to form a xerographic powder image in the configuration of the copy to be reproduced;

A transfer station, at which the xerographic powder image is clectrostatically transferred from the drum surface to a transfer material or support surface; and

A drum cleaning and discharge station, at which the drum surface is first charged and then brushed to remove residual toner particles remaining thereon after image transfer, and at which the drum surface is exposed to a relatively bright light source to eifect substantially com plete discharge of any residual electrostatic charge remaining thereon.

Thecharging station is preferably located as indicated by reference character A. In general, the charging apparatus orcorona charging device 21 includes a corona discharge array of one or more discharge electrodes that extend transversely across the drum surface and are energizedfrom a high potential source and are substantially enclosed within a shielding member.

Next' subsequent thereto in the path of motion of the xerographic drum is an exposure station B. This exposure station may be one of a number of types of mechanisms or members such as desirably an optical scanning or projection system or the like designed to project an image onto the surface of the photoconductive xerog'raphic drum from a suitable original. 7 To permit the utilization of copy in the form of microfilm either in a continuous web or as individual frames mounted in suitable apertured cards, the optical projection system shown includes a projector of the type disclosed in copending application, Serial No. 46,435, filed concurrently herewith on August 1, 1960, in the name of Rutkus et al.

The optical scanning or projection mechanism includes a projector 22, having a movable carriage for transporting a film holder in light-projecting relation to the moving light-sensitive surface of the xerographic drum. Uniform lighting of an object, such as film 23, is provided by means of a projection lamp LMP3.

A light shield 25 adapted to protect the xerographic drum from extraneous light at the exposure station is positioned adjacent to the surface of the xerographicdrum. A slot aperture 26 in the light shield extends, transversely to the path of movement of the light-receiv-- ing surface of the xerographic drum to permit reflected rays from the film to be directed against a limited transverse area of the light-receiving surface as it passes therebeneath. To enable the projector 22 to be mounted on the front of the machine, for operator convenience, a folded optical system including an object mirror 27, and an image mirror 23, is used in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the object mirror and image mirror being mounted in the light shield. The film holder, supported by the movable carriage of the projector, is arranged for movement in a path to transverse the optical path of the lens whereby the subject image of the him is scanned in. 

1. A XEROGRAPHIC REPRODUCING APPARATUS INCLUDING A FRAME, A XEROGRAPHIC DRUM JOURNALED IN SAID FRAME, CHARGING MEANS POSITIONED TO PLACE A UNIFORM ELECTROSTATIC CHARGE ON SAID XEROGRAPHIC DRUM, A PROJECTOR MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, SAID PROJECTOR HAVING AN OPTICAL PROJECTION MEANS AND A COPY CARRIAGE ASSEMBLY FOR SUPPORTING COPY TO BE REPRODUCED, SAID COPY CARRIAGE ASSEMBLY BEING ADAPTED TO TRAVERSE THE OPTICAL PATH OF SAID OPTICAL PROJECTION MEANS WHEREBY ANY IMAGE OF THE COPY IS PROJECTED ONTO SAID XEROGRAPHIC DRUM TO FORM AN ELECTROSTATIC LATENT IMAGE THEREON, DEVELOPING MEANS POSITIONED TO DEVELOP AN ELECTROSTATIC LATENT IMAGE ON SAID DRUM, A SHEET CONVEYOR FOR CONVEYING A SHEET OF TRANSFER MATERIAL TO SAID XEROGRAPHIC DRUM, TRANSFER MEANS POSITIONED TO EFFECT TRANSFER OF A DEVELOPED IMAGE FROM SAID XEROGRAPHIC DRUM ONTO A SHEET OF TRANSFER MATERIAL, DRIVE MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID XEROGRAPHIC DRUM FOR EFFECTING ROTATION THEREOF AND CON- 